Pepe le MokoPart OneThemes, Settings, Context, Visual Composition

Discussion Questions

1. As your readings demonstrated, North Africa in general and Algeria in particular were fairly diverse. What populations have existed in Algeria? Which civilizations influenced its development? What connections between Global North and South can be seen in the history of Algeria? What elements of this diversity and history are visible in Pepe le Moko?

2. What is classical narration or the classical Hollywood style? Is Pepe le Moko classical in its composition, and if so why?

3. Who is the implied audience for this film? How do we know this? How does the implied audience shape the view of Algeria offered by the film?

Context

Made during the colonial era, set in Algeria, officially a Department of France

Made collaboratively in studio production style with many of the “stars” of French cinema (actors, producers, set designers, etc.)

Regarded as one of the great examples of colonial cinema

Setting

Historical Setting

Colonial Algiers The Casbah 1930s References to French control, power (the police, the

efficacy of the police) Use of colonial era iconography to represent Algeria

(feminized, violent, dirty, chaotic)

The Colonial Imaginary

North Africa

Iconography of North Africa

Exoticism / Eroticism

Violence / Danger

Settings (Scenes)

Exotic / Erotic / Dangerous

Beautiful / Civilized

Foreign, Unknowable, Dangerous

Foreign / chaotic

Criminal Dangerous

Casbah as Prison

Themes

France vs. Algeria (Pepe vs. Slimane, Gaby vs. Ines, Slimane vs. Paris

Police) Law / order vs. violence, chaos, crime Paris vs. Algiers Entrapment Power of destiny Love as only possible among those who are alike Restoration of order